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Association & Related News
CCSSO Comprehensive Data Systems and Research Team Return from International Best Practices Exchange
New Report from CCSSO ASR State Collaborative on Growth Model Pilot Program
President Barack Obama Names 2009 National Teacher of the Year
Education Newsbriefs
"Study Sought for State School Consolidation" (PA)
"Push on for K-12 National Criteria"
"U.S. Department of State and CSIET Launch New Public Service Campaign"
"World Economic Forum's 'Educating the Next Wave of Entrepreneurs' Report"
Association & Related News
CCSSO Comprehensive Data Systems and Research Team Return from International Best Practices Exchange
By Alyssa Alston and Christopher Lohse
April 15–22, staff members from the CCSSO Comprehensive Data Systems and Research team led a knowledge exchange on essential data and technology issues with European leaders in Paris, France, Brussels, Belgium, and London and Coventry, England. The resulting conversations highlighted potential strategic investments in information systems and technology that can support improved student achievement. The discussions focused on these topics:
- National data collection, aggregation, and access were discussed with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Microsoft European Center for Innovation, and public and private organizations in the United Kingdom.
- Integrating data across systems and agencies, unique student and teacher identifiers, data as business intelligence, and developing international and national data platforms were some of the data management issues discussed with the London Grid for Learning, and Becta, and the United Kingdom’s Department for Children Schools and Families.
- Effective data use and reporting were reinforced through a number of partnerships. The team gathered insights on benchmarking OECD performance and policy data to identify correlates of high student performance. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in the United Kingdom provided a powerful model for intensive support for improved educator and family data use. Personalized learning portals at Shireland Collegiate Academy, with attractive presentation layers to encourage the participation of teachers, families, and children in school improvement processes were investigated.
- In addition to learning about technology applications in the above areas, visits with the Home Access Program and e-skills UK focused on parent involvement, extended learning, and supporting the development of information technology skills.
More information on this rich exchange is forthcoming through a full report, as well as possibilities for future international connections. For more information, please contact Christopher Lohse at christopherl@ccsso.org.
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New Report from CCSSO ASR State Collaborative on Growth Model Pilot Program
By Rolf Blank
CCSSO is pleased to announce the release of a new report titled A Guide to United States Department of Education Growth Model Pilot Program 2005-2008, commissioned by the CCSSO Accountability Systems and Reporting (ASR) State Collaborative. The report summarizes the U.S. Department of Education (ED) growth model pilot program from its inception through the conclusion of the pilot period, when the growth model program was opened to all states.
The report is designed to assist states in the process of planning to submit a growth proposal and provides a rich source of information of what types of growth models have been approved, features of growth models that have been important in the program, and the impact the growth models have had on states’ adequate yearly progress (AYP) calculations. The paper is organized around seven sections:
- ED pilot study events
- Requirements and guidance for growth-based accountability models
- Three basic growth model types approved by ED
- General description of submitted models
- Features of 11 approved growth models
- Summary of approved growth models and how the growth models are used in AYP calculations
- Impact of growth models on schools and districts
The ASR state collaborative is a voluntary project supported by 28 states in which members share strategies and effective practices. They work together to use research and technical expertise to assist states with the development and improvement of accountability systems and use of accountability data.
A copy of A Guide to United States Department of Education Growth Model Pilot Program 2005-2008 can be viewed and downloaded from the CCSSO website located here.
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President Barack Obama Names 2009 National Teacher of the Year
By Paul Ferrari
Anthony Mullen was named 2009 National Teacher of the Year by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony April 28, 2009. Mullen was recognized because of his innovative approach, community focus, and teamwork with other teachers. Mullen, along with the 55 state teachers of the year spent a week in Washington D.C. including a White House ceremony naming the 2009 National Teacher of the Year, meetings at the Smithsonian and U.S. Department of Education, and a gala black-tie dinner.
For the first time ever, the teachers of the year were honored at a reception at the Vice-President’s Residence on April 27, hosted by Dr. Jill Biden, along with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The fifty-five 2009 Teachers of the Year represent the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense, American Samoa, the Marianna Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
Dr. Biden, a teacher of 28 years who continues to teach English courses at a community college in Northern Virginia, recently wrote of the teacher’s week in Washington DC in The White House Blog. Click here to read her thoughts about meeting the state teachers of the year, and to view footage of President Obama recognizing Anthony Mullen at the White House ceremony.
The National Teacher of the Year Program is a project of CCSSO, sponsored by the ING Foundation that focuses public attention on teaching excellence and is the oldest and most prestigious awards program for teachers. Additional information on the National Teacher of the Year Program can be accessed by clicking here, or by contacting Jon Quam at jonq@ccsso.org or 202-336-7047.
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Education Newsbriefs
Study Sought for State School Consolidation
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (04/29/09) Reeger, Jennifer
Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak supports the creation of a state commission to study school district consolidation and design a plan to lower the number of school districts statewide. Zahorchak says consolidation could bolster student performance, as bigger districts would have more money to offer a variety of courses. Additionally, he says consolidation would eliminate duplicate administrative services, but the aim is not to boost class or building size. According to Zahorchak, "How do we get the money closer to the child and how do we make sure our expenditures aren't costing taxpayers because of redundancy?"
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Push on for K-12 National Criteria
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (05/03/09) Howell, Cynthia
Council of Chief State School Officers President and Arkansas Education Commissioner Ken James told members of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor that establishing state-led, common education standards would benefit individual states because the standards would stem from the best research and evidence and ensure American students have the skills necessary to meet the needs of the international marketplace. James said the push for common standards is on the "fast track" for elementary, middle, junior, and high school students, and the effort is likely to result in a set of standards for math and English/language arts for K-12 students by the end of the summer. James said, "[Standards must be] fewer, but clearer and higher." The campaign for state-led, common standards for students has a multitude of supports in the federal and state governments. James noted, "We've been talking around this situation for a good number of years. I think for the first time in my 36 years as an educator we have the stars aligned. You have all these entities lined up clearly understanding that it makes no rhyme or reason in this country why we would have different standards across the different states with the mobility we have in our student population and among teachers." Meanwhile, Arkansas' periodic review of its standards, which occurs every six years, has been postponed until the national standards discussions are over. Many expect the state-led, national standards to increase the focus on math, technology, science, and economics.
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U.S. Department of State and CSIET Launch New Public Service Campaign
CSIET (04/22/09)
The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel and the U.S. Department of State are working together on the "Host Exchange Students" campaign to encourage American families to open their communities to foreign exchange students. Print, radio, and Web advertisements are planned for more than 4,000 media outlets, and the program's Web site will provide information on Department of State-funded exchange programs and others and resources for host families and exchange students. For more information about the program click here
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World Economic Forum's 'Educating the Next Wave of Entrepreneurs' Report
Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (04/23/09)
The World Economic Forum's Global Education Initiative has called upon education leaders in the public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors to rethink education systems across the globe and to incorporate entrepreneurial skills, attitudes, and behaviors throughout students' learning paths. According to the latest "Educating the Next Wave of Entrepreneurs" report, entrepreneurial skills will help students solve 21st Century problems, build sustainable development, create jobs, renew economic growth, and further human welfare. These skills will enable students to create and take advantage of opportunities and contribute to economic development through start ups, spin-outs, and other activities. To check out the full report, go here. Click here and here for the 5-stage Lifelong Learning model. For information on the National Standards of Practice, go here.
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